LpWSC Hosts Delegation to Strengthen Sustainable Rural Water Service Delivery

Luapula Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited (LpWSC) today hosted a courtesy visit from a delegation comprising representatives from CARE International, the National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO), and Water For Water. The visit marked the beginning of a learning mission aimed at understanding and documenting sustainable service delivery models for rural water supply and sanitation.

The learning mission seeks to explore how different water service delivery models are managed to ensure reliable, sustainable and inclusive access to safe water in rural communities and growth centres.

The initiative comes at a time when the Government of Zambia continues to expand the mandate of commercial utilities to provide water and sanitation services to previously underserved rural areas and emerging growth centres.

During the meeting, CARE International outlined its integrated Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programming approach, emphasizing that access to safe water is fundamental to improving health, education, livelihoods and overall community development. The organisation noted that sustainable water services are essential in preventing waterborne diseases, improving school attendance and strengthening community resilience.

The delegation explained that the learning mission will contribute to two upcoming knowledge-sharing workshops one bringing together participants from five countries in Madagascar and another involving local stakeholders in Zambia. The overall objective is to identify viable and sustainable rural water service delivery models that can be refined, showcased to development partners and donors for investment, and replicated in other areas.

During the discussions, Luapula Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited shared its experience in implementing three rural water service delivery models: utility-managed systems, community-managed systems supported through technical oversight by the utility, and third-party service provider arrangements operating under Memoranda of Understanding. Discussions focused on governance structures, stakeholder responsibilities, operation and maintenance, cost recovery mechanisms, community participation, reporting systems and collaboration with local authorities and development partners.

The visiting delegation also expressed interest in understanding the financial sustainability and scalability of the different models, particularly how public-private partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms can strengthen long-term rural water service delivery.

Following the courtesy meeting, the delegation proceeded to selected project sites in Mwense to observe the implementation of the various service delivery models and engage directly with stakeholders involved in their operation.

Luapula Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited reaffirmed its commitment to working with cooperating partners and sector stakeholders in promoting innovative, sustainable and inclusive approaches that ensure lasting access to safe water and sanitation services for all communities.